OVERVIEW OF DISTRICT
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney' Office represents the
State of Texas in all criminal cases that arise anywhere in Galveston County. The only
exceptions are low grade misdemeanors filed in Municipal Courts. Local Police Departments
and the Sheriff's Department are the agencies that routinely investigate reports of
criminal conduct. Criminal cases are then filed in Justice of the Peace Courts, County
Courts at Law and District Courts in Galveston County. Once a case has been filed,
prosecutors from the District Attorney's Office appear in these courts to represent the
State of Texas and the victim of the crime.
The duty of the prosecutor is to see that justice is achieved in the
case. Prosecutors also assist police agencies on the legal aspects of criminal
investigations and present evidence to county grand juries in felony cases. A prosecutor
is assigned to the case from the time it is filed in court until it is disposed of by plea
of guilty, trial or dismissal. The District Attorney's Office will continue to handle the
case if it is appealed to a higher court.
The chief prosecutor in Galveston County is the elected Criminal District
Attorney, Jack Roady. Forty Assistant Criminal District
Attorneys help the District Attorney handle these cases. Four District Attorney
Investigators assist the prosecutors with their cases. These prosecutors and
investigators are backed up by twenty-eight support staff members. The District
Attorney's Office is divided into various sections. Each section has distinct
responsibilities.
FELONY SECTION - 409-766-2355 - FAX
#409-766-2290
Prosecutes felony cases (i.e. murder, robbery, sexual assault...) where
a defendant could be sent to prison or State Jail. The five District Courts have
jurisdiction over felony cases.
MISDEMEANOR SECTION - 409-766-2355 -
FAX #409-766-2398
Prosecutes misdemeanor cases (i.e. DWI, assault causing bodily
injury...) where a defendant could be sentenced to time in the county jail. The three
County Courts at Law have jurisdiction over misdemeanor and family matters.
FAMILY LAW SECTION - 409-766-2364 - FAX #409-770-6296
Prosecutes all juvenile cases, children protective service cases and
family violence protective orders.
WORTHLESS CHECK SECTION - 409-766-2429 - FAX #409-766-2398
Prosecutes insufficient fund or account closed check cases.
APPELLATE SECTION - 409-766-2355 -
FAX #409-766-2290
Handles all appeals to the Court of Appeals in Houston and to the Court
of Criminal Appeals in Austin and related matters.
VICTIM ASSISTANCE SECTION - 409-770-5124 - FAX #409-795-2108
This section assists crime victims with questions regarding case
settings, victims' rights issues, and victim compensation claims.
GRAND JURY SECTION - 409-766-2379 - FAX #409-795-2108
Presents all felony cases to Galveston County grand juries.
CHILD & ELDER ABUSE PROSECUTOR - 409-766-2355 - FAX #409-766-2290
A specially assigned assistant district attorney who handles cases
where the victim is a child or an elderly person. This assistant participates in child
abuse team staffing and Child Fatality Review Team meetings.
CHILD FATALITY REVIEW TEAM
Child Abuse Prosecutor, in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary team
of professionals, reviews all deaths of children under 18 years of age.
VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN PROSECUTOR
The Violent Crimes Against Women prosecutor, a grant funded position, is
responsible for the prosecution of our most serious offenses against women.
INVESTIGATOR SECTION - 409-766-2355 - FAX #409-766-2290
Investigators assist prosecutors in the preparation of cases for trial.
They also help law enforcement agencies with case investigations.
The members of the District Attorney's Office are public servants.
Their job is to effectively and responsibly prosecute criminal offenses committed
in Galveston County. If you have any questions about a case or the criminal justice
system, please feel free to call on us. Thank you,
Jack Roady, Criminal District Attorney